By Mitchell Clarke
A 12-year-old Berwick boy is skating on over to the sunshine to take part in the AAU Inline Hockey Junior Olympics in Kapolei, Hawaii.
Harvey Rigg was selected to represent Australia at the National Championships in South Australia last year.
He’ll join a number of participants from across Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
“I’m so proud of everyone who made the team, we all worked really hard to get here,” Harvey said.
“I think our team is a good team because we have the best players from each state.”
The three teams, an Under 12’s, Under 14’s and Junior Women’s will compete against a number of participants from across the world, including Canada, USA, Mexico and France.
“I’m most looking forward to playing Mexico because I want to see their jerseys,” Harvey said.
“I think they’ll be really colourful and Mexican!”
Inline hockey involves four players and a goalie on the rink, with at least four spare players on the bench. The aim is to score as many goals as possible over two 20 minute periods.
Harvey’s been involved in inline hockey since he was eight, training and playing three days a week at Bayswater Roller City and Victoria Skating Centre in Lilydale.
His mother Chelsea said he got involved in the sport when they noticed a sign-up sheet for inline hockey training.
“Harvey has always been a great skater but he discovered inline hockey one night when we took him skating. He’s loved it from day one,” Chelsea said.
“The game is fast and exciting to watch and the families involved are amazing and so supportive of all the children at the club.”
Chelsea attributes the sport to Harvey’s growth in confidence, stating that all children are given the opportunity to try out and possibly compete at State and International levels.
“We love watching all of his games and now his brother Aarlo has started playing as a goalie too,” Chelsea said.
“They’ve both been chosen to play for Victoria at the National Championships in South Australia later this year.”
The rink is the limit for Harvey who hopes to one day head over to the States and play for the Boston Bruins.
In the meantime, the AAU Inline Hockey Junior Olympics begins on Friday 5 July and runs until Thursday 11 July.
